AboutHoward Livingston Expertise Can answer questions on electrical control circuits, power supply,airflow & distribution, electrical components,refrigerant problems,gas, electric & propane furnaces.No boiler or refrigerator or oil fired furnaces experience.Just HVAC questions please.
Experience 35 years experience in residential & light commercial repair & installation.
Thank you so much for being there for all of us who are out here (literally)sweating about what to do with our air conditioner issues!
(As an FYI, I sent the first part of this question two days ago to Mr. McAuley and received a prompt response -- unfortunately, it did not take into account my apartment living situation. When I tried to send a follow-up, the expert had disconnected from the site. After reading your Q&A section and seeing your attention to detail, I am really hoping you have the time to look over my situation. Given my health situation, I promise you, it would be appreciated more than you could possibly know.
Quick overview: I realize that even with the air running, no matter how low I put the temperature, my apartment never feels comfortable. It definitely gets cold, but still feels... clammy. And my towels NEVER DRY. I have lived in two other units in this complex and never had this problem.
I am currently in bed in my apartment the majority of the time. This forced "rest and rehab" is due to a spinal injury during surgery. Believe me, being stuck in bed is bad enough -- being in a clammy and stifling apt is making this recovery time seem even longer :-)
To be more specific: Even with the air running at 70, my apartment registers humidity levels of 68 degrees (this was measured with the proper device by maintenance, I apologize that I can't remember the correct name). A dehumidifier was put in the apartment overnight and it collected half a bucket of water.
During these past few days the humidity has dropped. In fact, today, the temperature outside was 76 degrees and the humidity level was 43. In my apartment, the temperature was 71 and the humidity level was 55. It was more humid IN my apt with the air running than outside.
Maintenance did not take this issue seriously (first told me air conditioners don't deal with humidity and then told me that the air conditioner was totally fine). What's a girl to do? GOOGLE :-)
After searching "air conditioner and humidity," I then asked maintenance to see if there was debris on either the the evaporator coil (as if I knew where it was!) or the filter. The filter was extremely dirty and they did clean the coil -- although they said it was not very dirty. They also discovered they had been checking the wrong air conditioning unit (!) and that mine needed a little Freon.
The day AFTER all that was done, they hung the humidity gauge -- that was when it said the level was 68. I had read on Google that the proper level should be between 30 and 50, over that level and the moisture starts to breed mold (it has).
One thing I have noticed in this apartment is that the air conditioner does not run continuously. It runs for short periods of time and then turns off. I had read that could mean the air conditioner has enough time to cool the air -- but does not remove the humidity. This typically happens because the unit is too large. (This was the response I received from Mr. McAuley).
I have been clocking the running times for the air conditioner tonight from 7pm to 11pm (now). This gives you an idea:
Outside temperature was 71 with 0 chance of precipitation:
7:06 - 7:24, ran for 18 minutes. Humidity Level 55
7:47 - 8:03, ran for 16 minutes. HL 54
8:39 - 8:53, ran for 14 minutes. HL 54
And so on. Most recent was 21 min after last cycle ended:
10:41 - 11:00, ran for 19 minutes. HL 53
The issue is that I live in an apt complex. There are 12 identical 2-bedroom units in my building. I would imagine that the building was created with same size apts having the same size air conditioners (and, I doubt that everyone is living with wet towels!) I have lived in two other 1-bedroom models apts in this same complex without this difficulty.
So... could it be possible that the air conditioner would be too big for one apt and not the other? That seems odd. Or is there any other reason that you are aware of that could be causing this to be happening?
A " professional tech" came out to look at the air conditioner yesterday and told me there was nothing wrong with the air conditioning unit. The equipment he used to measure the humidity level inside the apt was only one degree off of the gauge maintenance hung in my apt(the tech's looked like he was swinging a billy club that he had put some water inside!) He then went on to tell me it was normal for the humidity levels to be 68 degrees inside when it gets humid out!! He said you can't control the humidity on an air conditioner. I know that is not accurate -- 1) You plan the right size air conditioner so it produces the proper cooling and humidity comfort for the space and 2)some air conditioners, like my parents, even have humidity controls.
If you have ANY suggestions, I would be truly grateful as we head into late July and August in NJ - ugh! Or even if you could give your opinion that something sounds wrong with the way the air conditioner is running in regard to the high humidity levels. Right now I am becoming the "crazy, complaining (sweaty) tenant." :-)
Also, not sure if it matters, but the back bedroom/bathroom is significantly hotter/more humid than the rest of the apt (it is located straight back from the front door to the back bedroom, windows only on right side of entire apt). And, I saw in one of your earlier responses that you asked if the vent was directing the air toward the window/wall. The one in my bedroom is doing that. I have pointed it out, but no one seems to think it makes any difference. Would it be more effective facing into the room?
Thank you so much for any help you can provide (and sorry so long)
All my best,
Robin
Answer Hello Robin. Gladto "try" to help your not=to=good situation. Hope for your comfort & recovery.
I have encountered humidity problems like your long time ago & well recall that the problem was mismatched inside & outside coils. It was a good lesson. But being in an apartment that would be rare to ever happen. So something is amiss with yours.
When you first turn on a cooling system, the first thing the drier air does is dry out the air !! The second thing it does is dry out EVERYTHING in the house, including you.
A good system is shown by the air distribution. How good is yours ?? All rooms comfortable ?? Air flow strong?? I suspect there could be a flaw in the duct system in the attic or whereever it is. Thats about the only way so much moisture could be entering the space. Apartments aren't built to the highest standards ya know.
Wonder how many other occupants have lived in your space?? You are tolerating all their dust & even know if they ever changed an air filter!! So a clen evapoartor coils is very important to dry out the air. Now the condensate water should be removed rapidly with a good drain line. If not that water in the pan would be returned to the air.
The cycliing times are OK if the thermostat is the thing controlling the cycles.Wonder what your tstat was set on ??
So with all that, the system should be full of freon, the outside coils washed clean for good air flow across the coils, then you could say it is doing all it can do, except for the humidity.
Have maintemence confirm all the duct are sealed, full of freon, coils are clean, drain line is clear, airflow is good thru the supply vents, air filter is clean & sealed. Then let me know.
